Smithsonian board to keep institution 'free from political or partisan influence'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NPR

June 10, 2025 12:32 AM ET


The Smithsonian Institution has released its first statement since President Trump announced on social media that he had fired one of its museum directors. The statement affirms the institution as an "independent entity" that will continue to be governed by a Board of Regents, or board of trustees, and managed by Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch.

While the statement does not specifically address President Trump's recent claim that he fired National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet, it is unequivocal about who is in charge of Smithsonian employees: "All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board. Lonnie G. Bunch, the secretary, has the support of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian."

The chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John G. Roberts, and Vice President JD Vance are ex officio members of the Board of Regents, meaning they serve as a duty of their office. The chief justice also serves as the Board of Regents' chancellor. The board also includes three members from the U.S. Senate, three members from the U.S. House of Representatives, and nine public citizens.

Trump has shown disdain for the Smithsonian Institution. In an executive order, he said it had come "under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology" and that his administration would "prohibit" funding for "exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy." Then, on May 30, he claimed on social media that he was "terminating" Sajet, calling her "a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position." Sajet, however, continued to report for work, according to The Washington Post.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5428588/smithsonian-trump-sajet-bunch

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Link to Smithsonian NEWS RELEASE - Smithsonian Statement

Museums in general are sort of a "niche" entity in the scheme of things where it seems it took a long time for the Smithsonian Board of Regents to wake up out of their bubble and slumber to react to what was going on "outside" (which included the National Museum of African American History & Culture removing items and whatnot ).

[generalbetrayus]

1. As an evolutionary biologist, I worry about Orange Julius Caesar's fundamentalist "Christian" buddies

insisting on creationist exhibits in the National Museum of Natural History. I'm pretty sure you would see mass resignation of good people at the museum if such an edict were ever to come down.

[slightlv]

2. And these will be among the first things to be destroyed

once we regain power. We will drag R's into the 21st century kicking and screaming with a remedial class on separation of church and state. In fact, I'd really like to see "church" take an extremely smaller position in public in general. I don't begrudge anyone their need or desire for ritual, belief in something bigger than themselves, or the need to feel a part of something bigger. I do, however, hold utter disdain for those who have to smash it into everyone else's face.